Fashion Designers Of Influence
This list is intended to be a resource for teachers. It is not necessary for students to learn all of these
designers. Focus on Charles Worth, Coco Chanel, & Christian Dior.
DESIGNER
Armani, Giorgio
DECADES
OF
INFLUENCE
80s-
BASED IN
Ashley, Laura
70s-80s
London
Balenciaga, Cristobal
40s-60s
Paris
Balmain, Pierre
40s-50s
Paris
Beene, Geoffrey
60s-80s
New York
Recognized for his artistic and technical skills and
for creating simple, relaxed, comfortable and
dressy women's wear.
Blass, Bill
70s-
New York
Boss, Hugo
80s-
Germany
Cardin, Pierre
50s-60s
Paris
Cassini, Oleg
60s-80s
Los Angeles
New York
Cerruti, Nino
70s-80s
Biella
Milan
Chanel, ‘Coco’
20s-40s
Paris
Makes clothes that allow women ease and
comfort. He makes sportswear, but glamorized
the concept by making clothes that possessed a
new American casual chic sensibility, which he
achieved by merging simple styles with luxurious
materials.
Hugo actually designed during 30s-40s until the
end of WWII. He died in 1948 but his business
survived. Hugo Boss is now one of the first names
in menswear.
He likes geometric shapes and motifs, and often
ignors the female form. His unisex fashions were
often experimental, and not always practical.
Avant-garde style & major licensing agreements.
Major Hollywood designer of 40s-50s. Official
designer for Jacqueline Kennedy in her White
House years.
Linking the career of a successful industrialist
with that of a high-quality designer, Cerruti
occupied a unique position in Italian ready-towear.
Best Known for the “little black dress.” Her
relaxed fashions, short skirts, and casual look
were in sharp contrast to the corset fashions
popular of the previous decades. Fashion themes
included simple suits and dresses, women's
Milan/
Florence
CHARACTERISTICS
Best known for men’s fashions but also designs
for women. Designed the ‘power suit’ of the 80s.
Light, luxurious fabrics, fluid tailoring.
Achieved renown for her genteel, romantic,
Victorian inspired fashions in women's clothes
and for her English Country manor style of
furnishings for homes.
Spanish couturier who considered himself and
architect of fashion design, sculptor of silhouette
and artist of color. His work influenced the work
of Givenchy, Ungaro & Correges
After WWII heralded a return to opulence in
richly embroidered gowns and ensembles.
Claiborne, Liz
80s-90s
New York
De la Renta, Oscar
60s-
Paris
New York
Dior, Christian
40s-50s
Paris
Dolce, Domineco &
Gabbana, Stefano
90s-
Milan
Ellis, Perry
70s-80s
New York
Ferragamo, Salvatore
30s-50s
Florence
Ferré, Gianfranco
80s-
Milan
Ford, Tom
90s-
New York
Galanos, James
40s-50s
New York
Galliano, John
90s-
London
Paris
Gaultier, Jean-Paul
80s-
Paris
trousers, costume jewelry, perfume and textiles.
Her innovations have become timeless classics.
Innovator or career apparel. Designed stylish,
moderately priced sportswear that freed working
women from plain, dark suits, designing stylish,
moderately priced sportswear that freed working
women from plain, dark suits.
Luxury designer whose work, blending European
luxury with American ease, helped define
standards of elegant dressing among society
circles in the late 20th and the early 21st century.
Known for opulent eveningwear, sophisticated
daywear.
Created the extremely popular "New Look” cinched waist & very full long skirt. After WWII,
he helped to re-establish Paris as the capital of
world fashion.
Signature designs include corset dresses, gangster
pinstripes and sexy black suits. Emphasize &
celebrate the curvaceous female form. Inspired
the young to dress up.
Reputation for fresh, innovative ideas creating
sophisticated and stylish clothes every woman
had to have. Added high-fashion pizzaz to classic
looks that are young in spirit. Uses natural fibers
and hand-knit sweaters.
A scientific and creative approach to shoes
spawned many innovations such as the wedge
heel and cage heel.
Known for sharp tailoring, crisp lines, exact
cutting, and visible seams. Structural look to his
designs. Educated as an architect and shows welldefined construction in his clothes.
Worked for Hardwick & Ellis. Signed on as
creative director of Gucci & was credited with
putting the glamour back into fashion. Saved
Gucci & YSL then retired. Now designs own line.
First American couturier…elegant haute couture.
Work is characterized by exacting craftsmanship,
particularly in the extensive use of hand beading.
Theatrical look to his designs. Daring reinvention
of romantic themes and delicate, superbly
tailored garments were his trademarks. Headed
Givenchy then Dior.
Known as the bad boy of French fashion. Trendy
& controversial. Many collections are based on
street wear & popular culture but his Haute
Couture is very formal yet unusual and playful.
Produced Madonna’s infamous cone-bra & other
costumes.
Givenchy, Hubert
50s-90s
Paris
Halston, Roy
70s-80s
New York
Hartnell, Norman
30s-40s
London
Head, Edith
30s-50
Los Angeles
Herman, Stan
60s-90s
New York
Herrera, Carolina
80s-
New York
Hilfiger, Tommy
80s-90s
New York
Jacobs, Marc
90s-
New York
Paris
Johnson, Betsey
60s-70s
New York
Karan, Donna
80s-90s
New York
Kawakubo, Rei
80s-90s
Tokyo
Kenzo (Takada)
70s-80s
Paris
Khanh, Emmanuelle
60s-70s
Paris
The name itself evokes glamour, refined
elegance, simplicity, and style. Flowing lines, use
of embroidered and print fabrics, and bold colors
are trademarks. Designed for Audrey Hepburn &
many other famous women. For 53 years, Hubert
de Givenchy has epitomized quality, elegance,
and lady-like fashion.
A master of classically cut, simple, spare and
elegant designs. The first designer to realize the
potential of licensing himself. Studio 54
Biggest couture house in London in the 30s.
Appointed dressmaker to British Royal family &
designed coronation gown for Queen Elizabeth II.
One of Hollywood’s best-known designers… Her
career spanned fifty-eight years of movie making.
In those years she dressed almost every major
star who shone in the industry. ( Liz Taylor, Lana
Turner…)
Council of Fashion designers of America
President. Known for animal humanity – one of
the first to use faux fur. Leading uniform designer
of the world. (Think McDonald’s, airlines….)
Dressy eveningwear & luxurious fabrics. Her
designs offer a chic, elegant, well-heeled style,
with a classic feminine sensibility. Caters to high
society clientele.
Designs ‘for the people. Started with men's jeans
and sportswear & is now a “brand Image”
designer for women, children & houseware too.
Many collections reflect fashions of past decades
from the forties to the eighties. Exceptional
leather and fur design. Has own line & is creative
director of Louis Vuitton.
Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the
embellished, and the over the top, Betsey has
been rocking the fashion industry with unique &
original designs since the 60’s.
Best known for her ‘Essentials’ line, offering
seven easy pieces every woman should have in
her closet. High-fashion elegant sportswear.
Simple silhouettes & easy-fitting dresses.
Specializes in anti-fashion, austere, sometimes
deconstructed garments primarily in black, dark
gray, and white. Avant garde clothes challenged
classic idea of femininity.
Known for his special fabrics and haute couture.
Attentive to the quality & uses splashes of
irreverent color.
One of the first major ready-to wear designers in
Paris. Kicky, Young clothes.
Klein, Anne
50s-60s
New York
Klein, Calvin
70s-90s
New York
Kors, Michael
90s-
New York
Lacroix, Christian
80s-90s
Paris
Lagerfeld, Karl
80s-
Paris
Lanvin, Jeanne
20s-30s
Paris
Lauren, Ralph
80s-90s
New York
Mackie, Bob
60s-70s80s
Los Angeles
McCardell, Claire
40s-50s
New York
McFadden, Mary
70s-80s
New York
McQueen, Alexander
90s…
London
Mainbocher, Main
30s-40s
Paris
New York
80s-90s
New York
Rousseau
Miller, Nicole
Classic American sportswear designer. A noted
leader in designing sophisticated, practical
sportswear for young women. She early
recognized a need for blazers, trousers, and
separates
King of designer jeans & clean, uncomplicated
sportswear. Uses sexually charged & often
controversial advertizing.
Chic, luxurious American sportswear. Strong on
shape and line, devoid of ornamentation.
The "man with the magic paintbrush" because of
his ability to mix astounding colors together.
Designs are bright, extravagant and luxurious.
Fanciful apparel and elaborate wedding gowns.
Signature line features very structural and
dramatic women's wear, mostly in black and
white. He featured the "Wunderbra" and the
"Wundercorset" in 1994. Perfect technique and
witty design resurrected the Chanel name.
The ‘Ambassador of French elegance’, she was
one of the earliest Paris couturiers. Skillful use of
intricate trimmings, virtuoso embroideries and
beaded decorations in clear, light, floral colors.
Has become the epitome of classic fashion.
Developed his brand around the image of an elite,
American lifestyle… classic silhouettes. Also,
Western wear.
Costumer for movies & TV. Reputation was built
dressing the most glamorous and charismatic
women in the world. Close attention to detail, as
embodied in the design, choice of fabric, and use
of color and opulent embellishment, is legendary.
Introduced dirndl skirt as a high fashion icon. Her
clothes were functional with clean lines and a
distinctly American look.
Used pleats to emphasize her enticing looks.
Interest in African art and curiosity for other
cultural textiles led her to create tunics. These
simple yet unique garments served as the
foundation of her growing design house
“The hooligan of English fashion” known for
versatility. Started as a Saville Row tailor in
London where he sharpened his technical clothes
making skills and tailoring, skills for which he is
famed today. Own lines are often controversial.
Designed couture for Givenchy then Gucci.
An American in Paris… introduced strapless
evening gowns… designed the wedding dress of
Wallis Simpson, the Dutchess of Windsor
Signatures are her bright prints and patterns
Missoni, Rosita and
Ottavio
Varese/
Milan
Miyake, Issey
50s-60s70s-80s90s
80s-90s
Mizrahi, Isaac
80s-90s
New York
Montana, Claude
80s-90s
Paris
Moschino, Franco
90s…
Milan
Mori, Hanae
80s- 90’s
Tokyo
Mugler, Thierry
Paris
Muir, Jean
70s-80s90s
60s-70s
Natori, Josie
80s-90s
New York
Phillippines
Norell, Norman
40s-50s60s
New York
Oldham, Todd
90s…
New York
Patou, Jean
20s-30s
Paris
Piquet, Robert
30s-40s
Paris
Poiret, Paul
20s-30s
Paris
Tokyo
London
(influenced by a variety of cultures and eras),
which grew from an early “obsession” with Celtic
knots. Pure, simple designs for the 90s
Bold, multiple-color combinations in
knitwear…simple but sophisticated knitwear
designs
Known for his technology-driven clothing designs,
exhibitions and fragrances. Developer of new
fabrics and techniques… produces innovations
like oilcloth clothes & permanent pleats.
Flashed on fashion scene under Chanel backing…
moved on to theatrical and movie works. Now
designs own line revolutionizing the industry with
his partnership with Target. Is also creative
director for the Liz Claiborne brand.
Specializes in strong colors, monochromatic
fabrics, and lots of leather and wool. His classic &
structural pantsuits feature razor-sharp tailoring
and strong silhouettes with dramatic proportions
Fashion spoofs made him famous. (Channel No. 5
t-shirt) A whimsical designer, who rebelled
against the fashion industry.
Mines the gap between East & West… Considered
one of the very first Japanese business women.
Chanel inspired her later designs.
Extravagant and innovative… spans from lots of
ornamentation to rigorous minimalism
Designed elegantly, intricately detailed classic
clothes. Vision depended on drape, cut and
craftsmanship. Showed little interest in pattern or
decoration, or color. Most designs were black!
Banished the borders between inner and
outerwear…success based on mix of comfort,
practicality, and style
Winner of first Coty award in 1943… his
shimmering sequined dresses are worn and
treasured forever. Also a Broadway costumer.
Whimsical mix of commercial and offbeat…
designs sophisticated and youthful clothes with a
sense of humor.
Elegant, ladylike couture clothes… successful
businessman and showman. Credited with
popularizing the cardigan & inventing the tennis
skirt & the knit bathing suit (quite sexy in it's
day!) His work as been described as "effortless
and sensual minimalism and understatement.
Inspired many designers who followed.
Pure elegance. Influenced Balmain , Galanos,
Givenchy and Dior, both of whom worked for him
First Paris couturier of 20th century to become a
Prada, Miuccia
90s…
Milan
Pucci, Emilio
50s-60s
Milan
Quant, Mary
60s-70s
London
Rabanne, Paco
70s-80s
Rhodes, Zandra
70s-80s
London
Rodriguez, Narciso
90s…
New York
Rykiel, Sonia
70s-80s
Paris
Saint Laurent, Yves
60s-70s80s-90s
Paris
Sander, Jil
90s
Hamburg
Simpson, Adele
50s-60s
New York
Schiaparelli, Elsa
20s-40s
Paris
Sui, Anna
90s -
New York
Trigère, Pauline
40s-50s60s-70s-
New York
trendsetter… liberated women from corsets. The
most influential designer in the history of haute
couture.
Clothing & accessories g trendsetters… secondary
line Miu Miu a rage with the young. Unusual
fabrics and surprising combination of materials.
His colorful graphic prints on Jersey
revolutionized Italian fashion at that time.
Swinging sixties London scene… introduction of
the miniskirt and new "mod" look began a fashion
revolution.
Produced clothes of plastic, chain metal, fiberoptic wire and doorknobs… fashion’s heavy metal
guru… a revolution in fashion
Noted for exotic designs, inspired by a multitude
of cultures, traditions, and even landscapes;
ornamental feathers. Art Deco motifs, zigzags,
and pale, delicate colours are typical features.
Glamorized print designs… soft fabrics,
handscreened prints… started as textile designer.
Commitment to highlighting a woman's best
assets. His style is American with a European
influence and Latin at heart. Has designed for
Loewe, Cerruti, Anne Klein.
Knitwear her forte… sense of fashion humor,
mixing the outrageous with the feminine. First
designer to put seams on the outside of a
garment, and to print words on her sweaters
Considered one of the greatest figures in French
fashion in the 20th century. Credited with
spurring the couture's rise from its 60s ashes and
with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable".
…famous for pantsuit, pea jackets, “le smoking,”
safari suits… Rive Gauche
Highest quality in materials and craftsmanship…
expert tailoring in suits and coats. Designs are
often compared with the Bauhaus architecture.
A durable of Seventh Avenue… known for
conservative good taste in design. Consistently
offered conservative, yet pretty and feminine
versions of current trends.
The leading fashion designer of the 20s and 30s
after Coco Chanel. Avant Garde designer in Paris…
famous for introducing “shocking pink.”
Free-spirited approach to design… mix of hip and
haute couture. Reputation for bringing a
designer's sensibility to wild-child, rocker clothes
with a vintage spin.
Pioneer American designer… her coat silhouettes
are famous… attention to detail. Garments were
Tyler, Richard
80s
90s
Los Angeles
Ungaro, Emanuel
70s-80s
Paris
Valentino, Garavani
60s-70s80s-90s
Rome
Versace, Gianni
80s-90s
Milan
Vionnet , Madeleine
20s-30s
Paris
Vuitton, Louis
1860s -
Paris
Wang, Vera
90s -
New York
Weitz, John
60s-70s80s-90s
New York
Westwood, Vivienne
80s-90s
London
Worth, Charles
Frederick
The
Originator
of Fashion
Paris
Yamamoto, Yohji
80s-90s
Tokyo
known for sophisticated and structured tailoring.
Custom tailoring, graceful cut… sophisticated
styling and expert cut… appeals to the 90s
Hollywood crowd. Emphasizes quality,
construction and fit, melding the best of
American design and European Couture tradition.
Space-age inspired… bold colors… sharp edged.
Mixes textures. Designs have are intended to
convey sex appeal without being vulgar.
One of the world's most famous haute couture
and ready to wear fashion empires. Known for
his red dresses, in the bright shade that became
known in the fashion industry as "Valentino red".
His famous V-shaped emblems crown his
collection… simple, subtle design.
Known for striking colors, materials, and cuts. His
collections for men and women are sexy to the
point of vulgarity. Kinetic, kaleidoscope prints…
metallic mesh garments… king of fashion for the
rock and roll set. Sister Donatella took over after
his murder.
Best-known for her elegant Grecian -style
dresses and for introducing the bias cut to the
fashion world. Her clothes were famous for
accentuating the natural female form.
Began manufacturing trunks in 1854. The
company he started has become one of the
world's most famous makers of luxury goods.
Under leadership of Marc Jacobs entered the high
fashion world in 1998.
Wonder of the wedding dress… besides bridal
parties, has expanded to evening clothes.
Recently partnered with Kohls to create an
everyday affordable line.
Women’s sportswear with a menswear looks…
designs in all fields (once designed a cigar!) One
of the first designers to license his name for
products such as socks, ties, and cologne.
Largely responsible for punk rock and new wave
fashion… T-shirts with outrageous messages…
named her boutique “Sex”
Considered the father of haute couture. He
created the “designer name” as we know it…
established the pattern of regular seasoned
fashion shows.
Sparse, understated fashions… dark, strong
designs… asymmetrical cuts. Avant-garde spirit in
his clothing, frequently creating designs far
removed from current trends.
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